Yup. Was hardcore atheist, totally convinced by materialism, thought I had everything figured out. One LSD trip later and everything changed. Materialism is bogus, god is real and I've started going to drumming circles and I'm becoming a crystal botherer

Yeah I took a bowl of 5x once to show some friends how harmless a low dose was, and I was shot into hyperspace. Don't remember anything except waking up drooling. Was really embarrassing. Reverse tolerance is real!

I think it's important to point out that there was no need for me to write this article. There was no imperative for me to point out the potential heart risk of psilocybin other than my own sense of integrity.

The pure fact is that the only scientific study of psilocybin's potential heart risk shows no significant evidence of any damage (If you'll read the article, I go into some detail about how the results are not robust). The handful of clinical case studies are potentially a cause for concern, but most likely an example of bias and poor scientific rigour.

If I were a shill of the psychedelic movement, it would be easy for me to keep this stuff under wraps. But I instead decided to write about it.

I am on your side here! I believe that genuine psychedelic legitimisation requires us to embrace the good and the bad. And I believe I'm attempting to do so as best I can.

Let me assure you - there was no sarcasm in my greeting. I'm genuinely happy to hear from you again. I've learned a lot from you and you've certainly made me more aware of the way my writing could be perceived.

Genuinely a pleasure to know you're still kicking up a fuss over things.

I admit there are a (very very small) handful of clinical reports regarding cardiotoxicity. But they're either bogus (Borowiak is NOT a scientist) or there's more under the surface (confounding variables like prior heart conditions and of course, the intense psychological stress of a mushroom trip).

Let me rephrase my statement (as I'm going to have to learn to do with much more vigour now you're back in my life) to read "There's no conclusive biological evidence for psilocybin having a heart risk."

I'd like to think that someone reading my article would come to the same conclusion, and understand that there's reason to be cautious and reason for further study. Does that not satisfy you?

As I say in the article, there's no (EDIT: conclusive biological) evidence for either psilocybin or LSD having a heart risk. But anything that binds to the 2B receptor could theoretically be increasing VHD risk.

She made clear to me that their connection was different to the one that she and I had, and that she didn't have to worry about him replacing me. I know it's irrational to worry about replacement but it still felt good to hear her reassure me.

What I would advise is to realise that it's true. Nothing matters, the universe is a cruel joke, and everything we are and everything we do is just to help us forget about this fundamental, horrifying truth at the core of everything.

Once you accept it, you can stop fighting it. It's a pointless fight that you can inherently never win. And it will just cause you more suffering.

Accepting, and forgetting, is the only way to return joy and love to life.